As we read the news and watch the yard signs popping up around us, we may hear much about the importance of the “rule of law” and whether it’s being obeyed. This makes me ponder, do I respect the rule of law? If so, which one? human or divine?
Trained as a lawyer, considering myself an ethical law follower, and strongly disagreeing with the decisions of this U.S. presidency, my first impulse would be to fiercely proclaim my allegiance to the American rule of law. Of course, the president and his appointees should obey the rule of law, and the courts and the police should enforce that law.
Do I really believe in the human-decided rule of law?
Suppose a president decided to unilaterally enact national health insurance for all and fund it out of the military budget? Despite what the Congress or the laws said, I’d probably be all for it.
If that president instituted public financing of elections and universal same-day voter registration in all states, thereby eliminating or curbing corporate control of Congress and politicians, I’d say “hell, yes!”
And if that same president expanded the Supreme Court unilaterally and appointed justices and other federal judges that aligned with my perspective across the judiciary, ditto. I’d let those courts transform the “rule of law” in a heartbeat.
Moreover, for much of this country’s history, racial segregation was the law of the land (some of the people appointed by the current president, seem to want to return to those repressive times) — the fight to end segregation was in some respects a fight to overturn human law using the higher rule of Constitutional (our founding fathers might say Divine) law (the 14th amendment) and the law of real equality and civil rights. But the battle to end segregation took breaking laws by Black folks sitting, eating, and being where they weren’t allowed to sit, eat, or be.
There’s another rule of law to consider
Spiritual law is the other “rule of law” to consider. With a “juris doctorate” and a master’s degree from the Ernest Holmes Institute of Consciousness Studies, I was trained in regular and spiritual law. In my spiritual tradition, we talk about law a lot. We say that everyone is always working with spiritual law or principle whether we know it or not. For example, the universal law of karma or you reap as you sow.
We/I also believe that the universe is always saying yes. So when I proclaim, “My personal freedoms are being systematically trampled and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it,” the universe says, “Yes!” (it is SO supportive.) And I can put my attention and curiosity into discovering all the ways that we are irrevocably screwed, “What horrible thing have they done this time?” as I open my news app.
But when I affirm, “There is something useful and wonderful to be done to reveal a world that works for everyone, and someone to do it with, and I can discover what and who that is,” the universe also replies, “Yes!” Then I can pour my attention and curiosity into that proposition instead. “Wow! Really? Where can I make a difference? Who can I partner with? Yay, here we go!”
I do really believe in this type of rule of law. Fortunately or not, so does Donald Trump. I think it’s a big part of how he turns adversity, judgment, impeachment, and convictions into victory. If you’re curious, read my ancient piece reprinted below from 2019 “Donald Trump and The Power of the Word …”
And in the meantime, try aligning with the highest rule of law you can find.
Donald Trump and the Power of the Word (which other candidates know how to use it?)